Combining assessment and research components on a large development and research project is a complex task. There are many descriptions of how either assessment or research should be conducted, but detailed examples illustrating integration of such strategies in complex projects are scarce. This paper provides definitions of assessment, evaluation, and research and illumination on how to strategically integrate and manage assessment and research activities by providing examples of tools used to develop and manage a comprehensive assessment and research plan for Kids as Airborne Mission Scientists (KaAMS), a large instructional development and research project. The purpose of the KaAMS project was to develop a series of teacher resources, framed in interdisciplinary problem-based learning approaches integrating authentic and ill-structured problem situations, inspiring teachers to inspire students to pursue the sciences. The goal of the project was to develop informed instructional materials and assess their impact on the target audiences, middle school teachers and students. Thus the project proposal included a strong commitment to formative and summative evaluation as well as a research component. (Author/AEF)